Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 November 1897 — THEY ARE QUITS. [ARTICLE]

THEY ARE QUITS.

How an Austrian Soldier Repaid the Preserver of Ills Life. An Austrian ship was convoying soldiers in Mexico, and was in the Adriatic when the cook, in a fit of delirium tremens, flung himself overboard. Instantly a young doctor attached to the expedition leaped Into the water after him, and at the Immluent risk of his own life saved hint from drowulng. The story, with Its noble sequel, is told by an army otiieer In ids volume of recollections, "Here, There nnd Everywhere:” On arriving lu Mexico, the column to which the doctor belonged was ordered to Yucatan, then a perfect liotbed of deadly disease. In order to avoid exposing ids men a moment longer than was necessary to the poisonous exhalations of the coast, the commander, Lieutenant Iledeman, hurried the disembarkments as quiekly as possible, and it was only after the troops had marched a considerable distance into the Interior that the foraging party reported “no water.” Hedeman Instantly dispatched men to the transport, who returned with the crushing news that ttic captain, In an equal, hurry to leave the malarious coast, had already departed. It was a terrible predicament. To remain where they were was certain death. The commander decided upon striking camp before sunrise, hoping to come upon water during the day; but on the morrow a scorching heat, unbearable thirst, and men falling out every few yards with the fatal sickness, rendered progress almost Impossible. Responsible for the lives of his men, Hedeman determined to start on the quest for water alone, but the young doctor protested, saying that the presence of the commander In camp was absolutely necessary, and volunteering to take his place. Having carried his point, he was preparing to start, when the cook, whose life he had saved, appeared, and begged to be allowed to accompany him. It was soon arranged that Martin should he the doctor's companion on the forlorn hope, As soon as the two men were out of sight of the encampment, the ex-cook handed bis flash to the doctor and said, “Take a draught, sir; It will give you strength.” “How did you come by this?” demanded the doctor, sternly, for water had been doled out to the command by the teaspoonful. Martin stammered, pretending that he had not felt the want, and so had saved his allowance; but the truth soon came out. The noble fellow had endured all the agony of thirst to save his share of water for the man *to whom he owed Ills life, and had been waiting all day for a chance to offer It unobserved. “I accept only on condition that we share It,” said the doctor; and grasping his companion’s hand, he added, “We are quits! Any one can take a header and help a fellow-creature out of the water, but what you have done not one lu a million would attempt.” Water was ultimately found by the two devoted men, and a supply brought to the perishing encampment. It is pleasant to record that in due time Martin received a commission as lieutenant.—Youth’s Companion, It Is a curious and bewildering circumstance that, in a world aud in an age where progress Is one of the laws Of existence, the violin should be today, as to form and all essential details, exactly what It was some 300 years ago. Only two or three tlmeshave Americans won the distinction of having a picture purchased for the famous Luxembourg gallery. This high honor has been given to a negro artist recently. A New York watchmaker recently accomplished the feat of drilling a hole through a common pin from end te end.